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90 people are interested
Talk with an elderly person to make a difference in their life!
ORGANIZATION: INSTITUTE ON AGING
Please visit the new page to apply.
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90 people are interested
The Friendship Line is both a crisis intervention hotline and a warmline for non-emergency emotional support calls. Founded in 1973 by Dr. Patrick Arbore, Director of IOA’s Center for Elderly Suicide Prevention, and accredited by the American Association of Suicidology, Friendship Line provides round-the-clock crisis support services including:
- Providing emotional support
- Elder abuse reporting
- Well-being checks
- Grief support through assistance and reassurance
- Active suicide intervention
- Information and referrals for isolated older adults, and adults living with disabilities
In addition to receiving incoming calls, Friendship Line also offers outreach to eligible callers. We connect with people on a regular basis, and help monitor their physical and mental health concerns. The call-out services act as an intervention to prevent suicide in the long term by improving the quality of life and connectedness of isolated callers. Any aging adult or person living with disabilities, who suffers from depression, loneliness, isolation, anxiousness, or may be thinking about death or suicide, can benefit from completely confidential phone calls with Friendship Line volunteers. Sometimes the road to happiness begins by simply saying hello to someone who cares.
More opportunities with INSTITUTE ON AGING
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About INSTITUTE ON AGING
Location:
3575 GEARY BLVD, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118, US
Mission Statement
Institute on Aging works to enhance the quality of life for aging adults and adults living with disabilities, enabling them to maintain their health, well-being, independence and participation in the community. We provide innovative, community-based programs that enable our clients to live at home for as long as possible. We serve as an essential partner in the continuum of care by providing health services, social and emotional support, and education and advocacy.
Description
IOA believes the future should be something to look forward to, at every age. As the leading advocate for older adults and those who care for them, we offer a broad spectrum of services and support to help seniors maintain their independence as long as it is safe to do so. The 24-hour toll-free Friendship Line is the only accredited crisis line in the country for people aged 60 years and older, and adults living with disabilities. We also make on-going outreach calls to lonely older adults. While there are other organizations that respond to the needs of people who may be contemplating suicide, none provides the type of services that IOA’s Friendship Line offers to respond to the public health problem of suicide among the elderly. Knowing that older people do not contact traditional suicide prevention centers on a regular basis even if they are considering suicide, we created the only program nationwide that reaches out to lonely, depressed, isolated, frail and/or suicidal older adults. Our trained volunteers specialize in offering a caring ear and having a friendly conversation with depressed older adults.
We are Located at 3575 Geary Boulevard in San Francisco. Currently we suspended admission to interested volunteers not located within the United States. Please still consider applying so we have your contact information in case our protocols change and we resume admission to non-US citizens. Thank you!
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
This is a Virtual Opportunity with no fixed address.
DATE POSTED
February 14, 2023
SKILLS
GOOD FOR
N/A
REQUIREMENTS
- Background Check
- Must be at least 18
- Orientation or Training
- 6 months (100 hours) and beyond!
- Reliable internet connection and a computer or laptop.